Carter's NHL Power Rankings: December 3

The Sharks have scored a total of 24 more goals than their opponents this season. That's one of many reasons why they are my number one team in my Power Rankings this week. Here's how I see it:

1. San Jose Sharks (19-6-4, 42 points)The Sharks have already scored 101 goals (most in the NHL) and have also killed a league-high 86% of their power plays they’ve faced. They also own the league’s best road record at 11-5-2. Joe Thornton leads the league in assists (32) and points (39).

2. Chicago Blackhawks (17-6-3, 37 points)The Hawks have only given up 59 goals this season (3rd-best in the NHL) and also own the league’s best home record at 11-2-1.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (19-9-0, 38 points)The Pens have scored 92 goals this season (3rd most in the NHL). Marc-Andre Fleury has a league-best 16 wins this year.

7. New Jersey Devils (17-7-1, 35 points)The Devils have only given up 56 goals this season (2nd best in the NHL) and own the league’s third best home record (10-2-1).

8. Vancouver Canucks (15-12-0, 30 points)The Canucks have scored 85 goals this season (5th-most in the NHL), and have scored on a league-second-best 24.3% of their power plays. They also own the third-best home record in the league at 10-4.

9. Buffalo Sabres (15-7-2, 32 points)The Sabres have scored 66 goals this season (tied for 3rd-most in the NHL) and have also only allowed a league-best 55 goals. They’ve also killed a league-second-highest 85.2% of all their power plays they’ve been up against. Ryan Miller leads the league in GAA (1.84) and Save Percentage (.937)

10. Philadelphia Flyers (13-10-1, 27 points)The Flyers have only given up 65 goals this season (4th-lowest total in NHL), and have also scored on 24 % of their power plays (3rd-best in the NHL)

11. Boston Bruins (14-8-5, 33 points)The Bruins have only given up 65 goals this season (4th-lowest total in NHL) and have killed 84.5% of their power plays they’ve been up against (3rd-best)

12. Phoenix Coyotes (15-11-1, 31 points)The Coyotes have only given up 65 goals this season (4th-lowest total in NHL)

17. Ottawa Senators (13-8-4, 30 points)The Sens own the NHL’s second best home record at 10-3-3.

18. New York Rangers (13-13-1, 27 points)Who knows where this team would be without Marian Gaborik. He’s the league’s leading goal scorer with 21 goals already.

19. St. Louis Blues (10-10-5, 25 points)The Blues have only scored 62 goals this season (tied for worst in the NHL) and have also only scored on 12.9 % of their power plays (also tied for worst). They also own a terrible 5-8-2 home record.

20. Nashville Predators (15-10-2, 32 points)The Preds have scored 66 goals this season (tied for 3rd-worst in the NHL)

21. Anaheim Ducks (10-12-4, 24 points) The Ducks have scored on a league-best 24.5% of their power plays this season and own the NHL’s third-worst road record (2-4-3)

22. Edmonton Oilers (10-13-4, 24 points)The Oilers have given up 90 goals this season (fifth-most in the NHL) and own the league’s second-worst road record (2-8-2).

25. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-9-5, 31 points)The Jackets have scored on 24 percent of their power plays (third-best in the league) but have also given up a league-second-worst 96 goals this season.

26. New York Islanders (10-10-7, 27 points)The guy that was picked first in last June’s Entry Draft is continuing to show us why he deserved to be the first pick. He currently leads all NHL rookies in points (21) and goals (10).

27. Montreal Canadiens (12-13-2, 26 points)The Habs have scored 66 goals this season (tied for 3rd-least in the NHL)

28. Florida Panthers (11-12-4, 26 points)The Panthers have given up 92 goals this season (tied for 3rd-most in the NHL) and have also only scored on only 13.9 % of their power plays (also 3rd-worst). They have also only killed 74.7% of power plays they’ve been up against (2nd-worst). They are also a terrible 4-6-3 at home.

29. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-12-7, 21 points)Tomas Kaberle leads all NHL defensemen with 26 points. The Leafs have given up 92 goals this season (3rd-most in the NHL) and have killed only a league-worst 74% of their power plays they’ve been up against. They also own the league’s worst home record (2-7-3).

30. Carolina Hurricanes (5-17-5, 15 points)The Hurricanes have only scored 62 goals (tied for lowest total in the NHL) and have given up a league-high 100 goals already. Oh, and they’ve also scored on only 12.9 % of their power plays, which is also tied for the worst percentage in the league. The ‘Canes have yet to win a road game (0-10-3). Yes, this team is bad.